This question is about cell division and genetic variation in eukaryotes and prokaryotes.
The axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) is a multicellular amphibian renowned for its remarkable capacity to regenerate lost limbs. Apart from tissue repair and regeneration, state two other biological processes in multicellular eukaryotic organisms that depend on mitotic cell division.
Many eukaryotic species can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Explain why mitosis, rather than meiosis, is the cell division mechanism required to maintain the stability of clonal lineages during asexual reproduction.
Single-celled prokaryotes, such as Escherichia coli, divide asexually by binary fission rather than mitosis. Explain why prokaryotes are unable to undergo mitotic division.
During meiosis, the independent assortment of chromosomes acts as a primary driver of genetic diversity in gametes.
The female queen honeybee (Apis mellifera) has a diploid chromosome number of 2n=322n = 322n=32.
Assuming no crossing over or mutation occurs, calculate the number of genetically distinct gametes that can be produced by a single queen bee due to the independent assortment of chromosomes.
Number of different gametes = _____________
40 exam-style questions on OCR A A Level Biology Cell division, cell diversity and cellular organisation. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.